The content on the promotional poster of the “Psychosocial Program: Activate Your Life Course©” fills Han with anticipation. “The poster says, ‘How to live a good life without battling negative thoughts.’ I really hope I can achieve that,” she expresses. After the reopening of physical classes post-pandemic, Han immediately signs up for the course together with her husband.
Han’s husband had contracted encephalitis two years ago, resulting in physical deterioration and declining memory. During the initial period after his discharge, he required assistance with daily activities and experienced profound emotional distress. “Every morning, he worries about not remembering things, sometimes even forgetting why he is at home. I have to explain things to him every day. Sometimes he wakes up in tears at night, and I wake up too, but I dare not disturb him. I’m afraid he’ll realize how worried I am, and it adds to my stress. One time, he called me and I happened to miss the call. I kept blaming myself, ‘Why didn’t I hear the phone? What if something happened?’ Taking care of my husband, I reduced my outings and had no time to see family and friends, which left me physically and mentally exhausted.
It wasn’t until Han enrolled in the “Psychosocial Program: Activate Your Life Course©” that she began to realize that her mind was often occupied by the clutter of daily life. “In the class, the facilitator guided us in practicing mindfulness, paying attention to each breath. Even if thoughts wandered during the process, the facilitator said not to dwell on them, just refocus on the breath.” Han excitedly shared the secret of how mindfulness helped her reclaim a fulfilling life. “Even during leisure time, I would suddenly think, ‘How is my husband doing at work?’ and have many worrisome thoughts. The course taught me that this is normal, and now I understand that thoughts come and go, and I don’t have to resist or fight them.”
Han not only became aware of her own emotions but also gained a better understanding of others’ emotions. “My husband often complains about his illness, sometimes forgetting things and getting angry at himself. It made me irritable, thinking he has too many negative thoughts, which often led to arguments. The course made me realize that I also have negative thoughts, and it’s normal for my husband to have these emotions and thoughts, so I should accept him.” With a change of mindset, Han suddenly felt relieved, and their interactions became more harmonious.
Fortunately, Han’s husband’s condition gradually improved, and he was able to return to work and perform simple tasks. Meanwhile, Han established the values she cherished in life through the course and began practicing them step by step. “I hope my husband and I can live happily every day, regain our interests, and engage in social activities. I remember one assignment asking us what we wanted to do after recovering from illness, and my husband said he would immediately call up the family for a celebratory meal. It suddenly dawned on me that we had been limiting ourselves unnecessarily. We don’t have to wait until we’re fully recovered – we can start now. As a result, we spend more time with our family, and our relationships have become closer ever since.”